Speech Therapy
Teletherapy Tips
Like many of you at the moment, I am jumping into teletherapy and learning on the fly. I want to share what I have learned so far and help anyone out who needs it with my speech therapy teletherapy tips.
This page will be my "bookmark" while I do therapy. It will grow as my practice evolves so check back frequently!
Top Speech Therapy Teletherapy Tips
1. Pick a Platform
First things first, pick and platform and commit to it.
Some things to look for:
- Is it HIPAA compliant?
- Are you able to screen share?
- How much does it cost?
- How easily can your clients log on and start a session?
- Does the client have control of the mouse?
2. Cultivate some PDF materials.
If you have the option to share a screen, you can share any PDF. If you have the option to let the client control the mouse, the child can color, circle, erase, or cross out things! Quite motivating!
(I don't mean to plug my own resources during this time of crisis but I am so happy I took the time to create these materials because I use them ALL.THE.TIME)
- High-Frequency Sound Packets
- Free Sample of SH here and only here for a short time (download it now)
- Smashmats & Game Boards
3. Online Games & Sites
This section is brand new for me and I will update it as I am able. This is what I have found so far.
- Highlights For Kids - Limited to what is free
- PBS Games - MY FAVORITE for reward games
- ABCYA - Make a something....is a hit as a reward
- Pink Cat Games - Can't Live WITHOUT!
- Membership Site -Great PowerPoint and Google Slides Games
4. Make Google Slides Your New Best Friend
I was missing simple drill practice to "warm up" skills before a game until I discovered Google Slides. I love it so much that I dedicated an entire page to it.
How To Use Google Slides
Learn how to do articulation therapy effortlessly during teletherapy here d!
Learn how to do articulation therapy effortlessly during teletherapy here!
Free Google Slides Materials
Grab a free minimal pair deck!
Everyone loves I Spy. Grab a free Spring slide!
Everyone loves I Spy. Grab a free Spring slide!
Interactive board game targeting articulation and language
Fun online drill practice for the spring!
Fun and motivating articulation practice!
Interactive board game for the winter!
Interactive way to practice prepositions!
Tier 2 winter vocabulary materials
Interactive board game for the winter!
Interactive board game for the winter!
Free materials and tips on how to EFFECTIVELY teach them!
Practice sequencing skills with this Google Deck!
Phonological awareness is a MUST in articulation therapy!
Learn compare and contrast while pairing with EET!
5. Boom Cards
I am new to Boom Cards but there is a lot of great stuff here! Personally, I find it a bit expensive but there are some easy ways to grab some free samples.
Search for needed materials (you can filter by age if needed)
- 1Next, sort by "price low-high"
- 2The free samples will be listed first!
6. PowerPoint
If you have PowerPoint, these are awesome during screen share time. All games listed below are free!
Free hidden pictures games for Halloween. Also grab some free online board games as well!
Find the missing present!
Get some quick and fun articulation practice this spring!
Get some quick and fun articulation practice this Fall
Identify the first sound of words. Interactive and fun!
7. General Reminders
- Check connection before the session begins
- Log in a few minutes early to make sure it is all working
- Have a good light so the child can see you
- Have water near you so you don't have to get up
- Pick out all the links ahead of time so you can open one tab at a time (not have a million things open)
- Know that some things may not work so have a few back ups ready
Typical Session
This is how I run a typical session. My clients are 4-7 years old for the most part and can operate the computer or Ipad by themselves.
- Prep Work: Organize all my favorite materials in a folder on the desktop. Even links to favorite games.
- Prep Work: Open PDFS, boom cards, and links on the second screen. This way I can share one thing at a time. (if you don't have two screens, skip this step).
- Start Meeting: Open the teletherapy platform and start the meeting. Wait for the child to join.
- Greeting: Say "Hi" and chat with a parent - About 5 Minutes
- Activity #1: Review goal and open a "drill practice" in PDF. Complete tasks - About 10 Minutes
- Reward #1: Play a Game (usually PBS kids) - About 3 Minutes
- Activity #2: Review 2nd goal and open a Boom Card Game (the child usually has to be the teacher as the child can't control Boom Cards on Ipads) - About 10 minutes
- Reward #2: Play a Game (usually PBS kids) - About 5 minutes
- Activity #3: Review goal. Open Epic and pick out a book. Practice goal during this literacy task. - About 10 minutes
- Reward #3: Play a game - About 3 Minutes
That's It!
Articulation Tips
I have perfected my teletherapy for articulation clients. If you want specific ideas for articulation clients, please click here.
Language Tips
Engaging, effortless, and effective language teletherapy sessions are possible. Click here to learn more!
Tips For Teletherapy and Early Intervention
I will admit that this a NEW area for me. Read about my tips here: (there are some free downloads too!)
More Tips
For more tips for an expert, please check out our guest post.